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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 9, 20 18 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Retail Advertising Manager Cindi Campbell Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Regional Manager Digital Content Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA EDITORIAL When legal recreational pot goes on sale across Canada this fall, the most angry, disappointed people should be the criminals. That's because from the time he first promised to end 95 years of cannabis prohibition during the 2015 election, Justin Trudeau has argued one of the main benefits of this change would be the damage it would inflict on the black market. Gone would be the vast, underworld network supplying unregulated, possibly unsafe, cannabis to Canadians, in- cluding Canadian children. Gone would be outlaw dealers, some armed, some willing to commit violence to protect their turf. It was a compelling argument then and it is a compelling argument now. But if the prime minister believes his own words, he should reject a new federal tax being proposed for cannabis. As well as boosting federal coffers, it might have the unintended consequence of boosting the black market. The price of any product always influences prospective buyers. The federal and provincial governments know from bitter experience that if they tax tobacco too heavily, smokers will buy a cheaper contraband product. And the black market tobacco industry has no compunction about selling to mi- nors. The same thing could happen with recreational cannabis sales if a recently proposed tax is implemented. Health Canada wants to put an annual regulatory fee of 2.3 per cent on the gross revenues of big cannabis producers. That fee could raise an additional $100 million a year in revenues, and proponents argue it would cover the govern- ment's regulatory costs for managing legal recreational pot by 2020, except for the costs of law enforcement. At first glance, that seems reasonable. Why shouldn't recreational cannabis users and the profit-seeking producers of this product pay to regulate it, instead of all the Canadians who have no desire for a cannabis high? But remember, this regulatory fee would be on top of the $1-a-gram cannabis tax that will already be in place when legal sales start Oct. 17. This tax will raise hundreds of mil- lions of dollars that will mainly go to provincial govern- ments to cover the expenses they incur in the legal-cannabis era. A coalition of Canada's biggest cannabis producers has already pushed back, warning the 2.3 per cent regulatory fee would hurt them and help their illegal competition. It's tempting to conclude these producers are motivated by self-interest. But even if this is partially true, the federal government should proceed with caution, perhaps post- poning talk of this fee for one or two years, until the legal industry is up and running and consumers have come to rely on it. Conversely, barging ahead with this new fee could dam- age the entire industry, limiting the growth of existing legal producers while discouraging new businesses from opening. The federal Liberals have come a long way in ending prohibition. But they must show sensitivity to market forces, especially in the early days of legal cannabis. A new study by Environics Research, for instance, sug- gests Ottawa's plan to strictly regulate the legal cannabis market may backfire by making the black market product more attractive to many consumers. This strategy insists on plain packaging, no branding and consumers being unable to see what they're buying before they pay for it. And the Environics report warns many con- sumers will reject this puritanical approach. With just weeks left before legal cannabis sales, the gov- ernment has no time to change its entire approach to reg- ulation. It can, however, put a hold on that proposed 2.3 per cent fee. And it can make the criminals unhappy. HIGHER TAXES ON LEGAL POT FAVOUR THE BLACK MARKET We are now firmly in the middle of summer and experiencing all that this season has to offer. Sure, it's a great time to ditch the coats and sweaters and bask in the heat, but many health benefits of spend- ing time in nature have al- so been touted and proven. Among these are in- creasing the chemical se- rotonin in our brains, which can help with posi- tive moods and increased energy, improving the quality of our sleep, and helping us relax and man- age stress better. When life gets busy, how can we fit in outdoor time? Try these easy tips to get on the path to making nature your new BFF: • Move your regular ac- tivities outdoors. If you like to read, play games, meditate, or enjoy a cool drink, take it outside to a patio, hammock, or picnic blanket. • Use small amounts of time. Don't feel you have to increase your time in na- ture by hours every day to make a difference. Start small by taking a walk or sitting outside for 10 min- utes on your lunch break. Take a stroll around the block if a longer trek isn't in the cards on a busy day. • Be mindful. When peo- ple hear "mindfulness," they often think of colour- ing, but mindfulness is anything that helps you fo- cus fully and completely on what you are experienc- ing in this moment with- out being distracted by other demands and wor- ries. Nature is a buffet for all of your senses so, breathe in the fresh air, listen to the birds, and take off your shoes and feel the cool grass on your feet. Slow down and reflect on all of these experiences without feeling like to need to rush off to the next thing on your to-do list. • Make it social. Want to catch up with your kids? Got a meeting at work that doesn't require a table or screen? Take it outside. Walking side-by-side can make people feel more at ease, creative, and willing to open up. In our CMHA office courtyard, there is a picnic table that becomes popu- lar for meetings and lunch during the warm months - a nice break and change of scenery. Whether it's the park, the forest, or your very own backyard, nature awaits! Melanie McGregor is the Communications and Advancement Specialist at the Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch, which provides mental health and addictions community support and education. Visit www.halton.cmha.ca for more information and follow @cmhahalton on Twitter for news and up- dates. GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS MAKE NATURE YOUR BFF, SAYS MCGREGOR MELANIE MCGREGOR Column